Ten Ways to Use Twitter for Business
Twitter is a mini-blogging device that can be accessed via the web, instant messaging and mobile phones. Users can send messages of one hundred and forty characters that are published either publicly or privately in a shared environment. Anyone with access to this environment can follow the flow of messages and comment, reply or simply keep up to date. Twitter can be used by groups of friends sharing gossip, groups developing ideas or colleagues in the same building deciding when to go to lunch!
Most recently, businesses have grasped the potential marketing significance of Twitter as a valuable promotional tool. Here are our Top Ten Tips on using Twitter for business applications:
TIP ONE:
Twitter is a two-way messaging device. This allows the customer to respond to your messages, connecting you directly to your customers. This benefit includes giving the customer the chance to instantly ask questions about your product or service, place an order and give feedback.
TIP TWO:
Using short bite-size messages, you can keep new and potential customers informed about forthcoming product updates. You can create business from Twitter by directing customers to your website through clickable links within the Twitter messages.
TIP THREE:
Co-Workers can use Twitter to share ideas whilst working on projects over different sites.
TIP FOUR:
Customers can be offered the option of signing up to your Twitter campaign when they buy your product or services. This connects you with customers that are already actively interested in hearing more about what you have to offer; completely avoiding wasting your budget on the disinterested. Twitters actively choose to ‘Follow’ a flow of messages.
TIP FIVE:
Twitter is immediate; it takes seconds to message thousands of customers. If you need to create buzz around product changes, your customers can be the first to find out about it.
TIP SIX:
Twitter can be used to specify localised customers. You can directly market to a customer who is sitting having a cup of coffee in the same area as your business. Imagine seeing a potential customer write ‘I’m in Bolton and I’m bored’ - you could make an immediate pitch to that customer within seconds.
TIP SEVEN:
Twitter immediately connects you and your employees. Close of business figures, team targets and daily results can all be shared immediately between a sales team or an entire workforce.
TIP EIGHT:
You can perform rapid market research by sending a question out to thousands of potential customers who can each respond instantly with a one-word answer.
TIP NINE:
Develop a following. Existing customers like to know about products and services before everyone else. Build a loyal following by leaking them exclusive information.
TIP TEN:
Customers don’t even need to be connected to the Internet in order to receive your promotional messages. Once they register their mobile phone, they can receive updates via text!
By using Twitter for business, companies can communicate personally with their customers. You can create an entire marketing campaign using this free micro-publishing tool.
If you believe that Twitter could maximise your business but you don’t have the expertise to empower your promotional activities through Twitter Marketing, contact us at nikki@nikkipilkington.com
Nikki Pilkington

5 responses so far ↓
1 Madalyn Sklar // Jun 11, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Great advice! Twitter has become such an important marketing tool for business.
2 Truly Ace Design // Jun 11, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Some good suggestions, in my next newsletter I’m going to suggest that readers follow me on Twitter.
In addition, I’m going to put ‘follow me on Twitter’ at the end of all my emails. I don’t use my email signature to good effect AT ALL.
3 Mark Shaw // Jun 13, 2008 at 11:07 am
Hi Nikki excellent tips on how to use twitter. I have been using it to great success over the last few weeks. I use it to highlight tips and information that are on eBook Place.. It has resulted in a massive increase in website traffic to my site.. It has also resulted in at least 35 new members and I have earnt money from selling adverts on the site…
Twitter for me has been great.. But as i say to everyone you must have a strategy behind why you are doing it..
best
Mark
4 Digital Biographerâ„¢ » TwitterCounter.com: Vanity Publishing for Twitter users. Count me in! // Jun 13, 2008 at 2:07 pm
[…] Pilkington has also been considering the twitter phenomenon, and has added her Ten Tips for Using Twitter for Business Part 1 and Part 2 at 299 Steps to Web Site Heaven - which in itself is a great blog. var […]
5 Tywebbin Creations :: Next Level Blog » Using Twitter for Business // Jun 20, 2008 at 10:53 pm
[…] Check out Nikki Pilkington’s Top Ten Tips Uses of Twitter for Business. […]
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